Laugher books second Rio quota spot en route to individual final

Jack Laugher insists he will hold no fear when he bids to add to his successful World Championships in tomorrow’s 3m springboard final.

It’s already been an enjoyable few days for Laugher in Kazan, having claimed Britain’s first medal of the Championships on Tuesday when he and Chris Mears took bronze in the 3m synchro final.

That result booked Team GB a quota place at next year’s Olympics in Rio – and Laugher ensured there will be another spot for the team after progressing through to the individual springboard final on Thursday.

The 20-year-old was in the top ten throughout the semi-final before eventually finishing fifth on 490.90 points.

Mears was also in action in the semi-final but with only the top 12 progressing, he found himself out of the reckoning after finishing 15th on 422.50 after missing his final dive.

But errors were minimal for Laugher as he qualified for his second individual World Championship final, having finished eighth on his debut in 2011.

"It was a really good performance and I'm very happy because it's been a long day with six hours of competing," Laugher, who won World Cup bronze and Commonwealth silver in the individual 3m last season, told British Swimming.

"It's difficult for all the athletes but to make it through to the final in fifth is a great position to be in. I can apply the pressure to the other guys in the final which is good.

"I need to rest and recover for tomorrow now. It's a big competition but I've been at this stage before and I've already won a medal in this World Championships so I'm really looking forward to this final."